My Last Weekend Update Before Australia

This weekend was spent, packing, stressing, packing, then stressing some more. Why? Because today I am off to Australia for three weeks.

But before we talk about today, let's talk this past weekend. Mine started off on Thursday (mentally) because I booked a flight to Chicago!! I'm going to stay with my lovely Weekend Update co-host Dana, and Sami, my other equally lovely Weekend Update co-host will be there, too! Talk about the ultimate Weekend Update! Sami threw around a the idea of a vlog featuring us three hosts so hopefully that happens. While I'm there we get to hang out with one of my favs, Chris of Chubbette Tales...Life After Spanx and hopefully I'll get to see more Chicago ladies like Stephanie of Bourbon and Glitter! So.Super.Excited.

On Friday I went to dinner with IRL-friend-turned-blogger, Kathrin of Shop.School.Sleep., in our hometown for sushi. Much needed after my brutal work week, and my upcoming trip.

My Friday outfit

Saturday I got my hair done. Thanks for everyone's opinions, ultimately I decided to go back to blonde, and re-dip dye my hair when I return if I am still into it. So many foils were needed to get rid of the blue! I am loving being a complete blonde again.

Before and After

 

And now I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for Australia! While I'm gone I have some great posts in store. Here's the schedule for the rest of the week:

Tuesday - guest post by Shanna Because Shanna Said So

Wednesday - guest post by Chris of Chubbette Tales...Life After Spanx

What did you do this weekend? Link up with my co-hosts Sami of Sami's Shenanigans, Dana of five30three, and me and tell us all about it. We just ask that you follow these rules:

1. Blog about your weekend.

2. Add the badge (below) to your post.

3. Add the blog post link to the linkup below.

<a href=" http://www.jointhegossip.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://sites.google.com/site/samishenanigans/files/weekendupdatebutton.png" /></a>

Leaf Love

I've probably mentioned how much I love fall about a bazillion times on this blog. And I've mentioned how LA lacks a real fall just as many times. Either way, I love to live vicariously through everyone else who gets a real color change in their neck of the world. In the meantime, here's an outfit that screams fall. I'd totally wear this to take a stroll through pretty colored leaves. Maybe to a pumpkin patch?

Leaf Love by leeannm 

Stop by Monday for Weekend Update hosted by Sami's Shenanigans, Five30Three, and me!

Guest Blogger Love

While I am in Australia for three weeks I have some wonderful bloggers filling in for me! I wanted to ask some of my fav ladies who haven't yet guest posted, and they are all amazing and agreed. So here's the rundown of the bloggers who will be keeping Join the Gossip afloat while I'm away:

Tuesday, Oct. 16 - Because Shanna Said So

Wednesday, Oct. 17 - Chubbette Tales...Life After Spanks 

Tuesday, Oct 23 - The Blonde Ambitions 

Wednesday, Oct. 24 - Tales of a Twenty Something 

Tuesday, Oct. 30 - Little Girl in the Big World 

Wednesday, Oct. 31 - XOXO, Me 

Tuesday, Nov. 5 - Interpret As You May

Be sure to stop by and check out all of their posts. I've read them and they're really fun!

Dip Dye Mania

Earlier this summer I spied Demi Lovato's dip dyed hair and fell in love. It was already a trend, but popping up sporadically (thank you Clueless for that word ;) and not mainstream yet. I have always wanted to dye my hair a crazy color and finally decided to go for it. So using Demi as my muse I went to my hair stylist and asked her to recreate this look.

Source: dakotahrae.buzznet.com via Leeann on Pinterest

That was back in July. My hair wasn't identical, but it was different and vibrant and I loved it. Because the color fades within two weeks, the second time around I requested a few purple strands for a brighter look. Again, I loved it but I hated the washed out look. I feel like Demi rocks it way better than me.

This is what my hair currently looks like. Totally blah. Super faded and a greenish color.

And now this is happening...

Source: Uploaded by user via Leeann on Pinterest

Did you watch The Voice this week? Christina Aguilera also has teal tips, but I couldn't find a picture.

Source: google.com via Leeann on Pinterest

Dip dye hair is all the rage. Both Xtina and Britney have recently been seen with bright locks. Personally, I still like Demi's the best (who has also rocked a pink version). It's even catching on for the everyday person, which I have mixed feeling about. On one hand it's nice that people are getting used to the trend and not looking at me like a freak. BUT, on the other hand, I liked being unique, and the first of anyone I know or saw in-person with dip dyed hair. Yes, I'm that way. I like trends but once they are too popular I want no part of them. However it's still not that popular.

Here's where my dilemma comes in. This weekend I need to dye my hair before my Australia trip. I was all set to bleach my hair back to blonde because I don't want my hair to look faded in my vacation pictures, and frankly, because what if in 20 years when I look back at my photos I think that they are cute except from that crazy hair I was sporting? But I also love all of the compliments that I get on my hair. Even faded and washed out, people respond to it positively.

So do I dye it and live in the moment, but with fear that in a few weeks I will hate the faded look? Do I just move on, knowing that I was a part of the trend's beginning and it was a good run? OR do I bleach it blonde for the trip then come back and dip dye again (to be hair dresser's horror, I'm sure)?

Thoughts are greatly appreciated because I really don't know what to do with my hair come Saturday's appointment.

Hotel Roosevelt

Happy Monday! Today I'm filled with mixed emotions - excited that in exactly one week I leave for Australia, but scared of the first flight that's 16 hours (and I fly alone). I want to go, just not make the journey.

This weekend was spent packing and getting ready for the trip. I also got to spend time with a great friend who was in town from Nashville (who I visited last fall). It was a great night catching up with dinner, drinks, and laughs.

I live in the heart of Hollywood but don't go out often in the city because it's so expensive. $20 for one drink at the famous Hote Roosevelt Tropicana Bar! And they added gratuity! Despite the hefty bill, it's nice to get out and have a drink in such a swanky location. It's literally set outside with pretty palm trees and a huge pool. The hotel was the original home of the Academy Awards and is rumored to be haunted by Marilyn Monroe. I eat that stuff up.

And on top of that awesomeness, The Saints won their game last night!! And Brees broke the consecutive touchdown passes record. So exciting. It was even more sweet since they were playing the Chargers, who let Brees go several years back. Plus my dad is a SD fan and the trash talking was pretty intense. Glad I get the bragging rights. Who dat!

What did you do this weekend? Link up with my co-hosts Sami of Sami's Shenanigans, Dana of five30three, and me and tell us all about it. We just ask that you follow these rules:

1. Blog about your weekend.

2. Add the badge (below) to your post.

3. Add the blog post link to the linkup below.

<a href=" http://www.jointhegossip.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://sites.google.com/site/samishenanigans/files/weekendupdatebutton.png" /></a>